~ We travel, hunt and gather. We design, build and create. We recycle, reuse and reinvent. CHARTREUSE Virginia Beach, VA offers an eclectic fusion of international antique furniture, mid century modern, vintage pieces, coastal style furniture, original art and unique, found objects. We also custom design and give new life to your furniture in our studio, on site. We offer in-home consultations and design services.

90% of my friends own their own business. Doctors, Lawyers, Contractors, Retail, Restaurateurs, etc. We discuss our businesses all the time. We support one another and we share the same concerns. THE ONE THING we have all experienced over the past few years is a “trend” of local support. It comes and goes in waves. Everyone likes to say they shop local and they want to support Ma – Pa business, along with young entrepreneurs who take huge risks to live “the dream”. But the fact is… billions of dollars were spent this year shopping online. And that money did NOT SUPPORT this community!

When a business shuts down or closes due to lack of business… people love to say things like “what a shame” or “too bad they didn’t have what it takes”, etc. THE FACT IS…. IF EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY SHOPPED LESS ONLINE AND INVESTED THEIR MONEY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY…. over 95% OF SMALL BUSINESSES WOULD SUCCEED! ALL utilities, taxes, rent and insurance cost small business owners more than average. Usually double. LACK of local support… YEAR ROUND… NOT JUST HOLIDAYS…. NOT JUST “SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY” and the other trendy, “make you feel all fuzzy” days that are all over social media… But small business owners and artisans are at work daily… after hours!!! We would rather work 80 HOURS DOING WHAT WE LOVE… than work 40 hours for someone else doing what they love! AND WE DO IT FOR YOU AS WELL… we want to share our talents and we want you LOVE US as much as we LOVE OUR COMMUNITY!

Those of us who have started First Friday ViBe and are working diligently to bring Virginia Beach’s very own Art’s District are thankful for the supporters that come out every month… warm, cold, rainy…. WE LOVE YOU! WE APPRECIATE YOU! And we would love to see you more!

JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN’T KNOW… in ViBe District…. There are several restaurants, retail shoppes, artist studios, custom building businesses, coffee shoppes, a florist, fabrics, interior designers, architects, an ad agency… and the list goes on! Everyone is excited for the growth and the energy here in The ViBe… SO PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE HERE…. YEAR ROUND…. and we PROMISE TO CONTINUE to surprise you and deliver AWESOME SERVICE with original and AMAZING PRODUCTS!

As an artist and designer, who dreams in colour and is obsessed with creating new pieces and products…. I find myself frustrated with the lack of time I have due to owning my business, being involved in First Friday ViBe and the Creative District for Virginia Beach. So… I decided to put together THE CREATIVE LAB in the ViBe!

I’m looking for creative, open-minded students who want to be a part of this team. You have to be willing to get a little dirty and work well with others. You must be over the age of 18 and involved in some sort of design or art program.

My goal is to have you work on products that I would love to see hit the market. Pieces that could eventually become YOUR signature creations. Pieces that can be produced right here inside the studio at Chartreuse and then sold on the showroom floor! YOU could be the next big thing and be one of the featured artists here in The District for First Friday ViBe.

I go out of my way to visit stores like mine and make sure Chartreuse is not carrying the same products as my fellow business owners. I strive daily to set myself apart from the herd. I search everyday for new items and art pieces to bring in. It’s expensive and it’s hard keeping that fresh inventory in stock. And quite frankly, I know WE can create amazing pieces that you can’t find in these catalogs and merchandise outlets.

So please pass this info onto someone you know who might fit well in THE CREATIVE LAB. Feel free to grab a couple of friends and do this together. The first projects we will be working on is with CONCRETE. I have a ton of ideas and can’t wait to hear yours.

Please contact me via email only at chartreusehome@gmail.com Submit a short paragraph telling me why I should choose YOU! Please title the subject line THE CREATIVE LAB. I look forward to hearing from you!!!!

Remember the daunting task of choosing your first wall color…. in your first house? I do! For me it was one of the most exciting things I’d experienced. I finally had the freedom to do whatever I wanted… in whatever color I wanted…. and no landlord could tell me different. For most, this moment is intimidating. It’s frustrating and it’s nerve racking!

The daring ones who jump right in and throw the first color they fall in love with… on the walls… in GLOSS! Dark GLOSS!!! LOL!!! The ones who love color but choose a LOVELY SHADE OF VANILLA…. because they’re scared to make a mistake! Or the ones like me, who love so much and change our minds like the wind… that by the time they get the room finished… THEY WANT SOMETHING ELSE! 99.9% of us are ONE OF THESE!!!!

Imagine if you had the opportunity to spend a few hours with… not one…. but TWO DESIGNERS…. What would your first house looked like? Or even your last home? What would you have done differently? How much time would you have saved? And how many arguments and dollars would NOT have been wasted?

So back to my article on THE ART OF GIFT GIVING…. item numbered 5….. Do you have someone on your gift list that just recently bought their first home? Someone who is ready to remodel a room? Or maybe someone who is getting ready to have their first child and needs some help? How cool would it be to give them the gift of a couple of experts, who could help them discover their own style, create a plan and a budget?

From November 12th thru December 23rd, 2014….. CHARTREUSE and URBAN DESIGN will be offering a “2-4-1″ SPECIAL! That means you can purchase “The Gift of Design” for HALF OFF!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine what a consult with 2 designers could do for someone you love? You can guaranty they won’t throw this gift in a closet or leave it on the curb for a charity.

One consultation can go a long way. It may be that a short visit…. going over colors and style could be what the doctor ordered. It could also be that the person needs a little more. Either way… this is a gift THAT WILL FIT for sure!

You may purchase your “Gift of Design” at our 4th Annual Gift Event on November 12th from 2 to 7pm…. or any day thereafter through December 23rd, 2014.

I’m still trying to hang on to what’s left of this Indian Summer…. So the last thing I want to think of is shopping for Christmas and Chanukah! But I know that I hate to rush and I hate waiting til the last minute…. so it’s definitely time!

Over the last couple of weekends I’ve been renovating my home studio. Along with many others, it’s a project I’ve wanted to do for quite sometime. While making room for change (shifting “stuff” from one spot to another), I became a little frustrated and realized this is why my projects get put off!!! WHERE DID ALL THIS STUFF COME FROM???? I’m OCD and I’m a minimalist… I own a store so I don’t have the need to buy stuff for myself…. GIFTS! Over half of what was taking up space was GIFTS from other people!

I have no problem getting rid of stuff. I’m known for it. Edie Mae (my mama) thinks that I’m missing some gene because of my detachment to things!!! Unfortunately, it sometimes hurts peoples feelings when they find out you aren’t using a gift they bought… or worse… you threw it out! SO…. I HAVE A THEORY and of course A SOLUTION!

IT’S MY UNDERSTANDING that GIFT GIVING is an ART. I’m an ARTIST… so here it goes:

1. DO NOT buy a gift just to buy a gift! BY A GIFT THAT means something to that person. Something they might buy for themselves. Ask yourself a few questions before making the purchase….. Like, will this add value to his or her life or will it possibly be set aside or put on a shelf? Would this person love to have this gift?

2. Be creative in your gift giving! Has this person been in there home for a long period of time? Do they keep things nice and tidy? Do they entertain? …. A bottle of winewith a beautiful hand written note goes a long way! A good candle is also a gift that everyone loves and they will think of you every time they light it!

3. Jewelry and accessories! Who doesn’t appreciate these as a gift? Unless of course it’s tacky and something they would never wear! Be careful and thoughtful when buying a piece of jewelry, scarf, handbag or wallet. Don’t be intimidated…. just think about that person and does it look like their style. Simplicity is classic and never goes out of style! Quality is key here! And it’s another perfect opportunity to keep it local! There are plenty of local artisans that create one of a kind items…. from every price point. Buying an original gift… made local…. not in C#^n@…. says you care enough to take the time and that you support your community!

4. Buying everyone on your list a “giftcard” from one of the big name companies is HORRIBLE! Unless you are ill and have no other way to buy something for someone… it’s LAME!!!! ON THE OTHER HAND….. A gift card from a store you know they shop is a completely different thing! Especially if you’re not sure what they’d like or need. At least taking the time to think about where they might like to go says a lot! If they’re a child…. a toy store! A teen…. clothes! A newly wed…. furniture or art! Just take a few minutes and think about it!

5. Something hand made from you is an awesome gift! It also fits every budget and says you really care! You don’t have to be an artist to make something… And I’m not talking about some crazy wreath with glued on pine cones!!!! I’m also not talking about you learning how to knit a pair of socks… (although if you are good at that, it’s cool)!!!! How about homemade sugar scrub or salt bath? How about homemade lotions or tea? Or maybe even some homemade cookies? Hello? Everyone loves all of these things! They’re pampering, thoughtful and custom!

KEEP IT SIMPLE! LIFE IS SHORT and WE SHOULD LIVE IT BEAUTIFULLY! Stay tuned for more specific gift ideas in all these categories over the next week!

OUR 4th ANNUAL GIFT EVENT IS NOVEMBER 12, from 2 to 7….. WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THIS YEAR! I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!!!! So EXCITED!!!!!